Let's start with the more interesting things in this post: all the things coming up in 2026!

Despite being known for his satirical songwriting, I was aware that this would be a serious performance. However, there was a good infusion of humour, too, which helped make it such an entertaining evening.

For those who have been following my New (to me) Music series this year, a hearty thank you!

If things had gone according to plan, this review would have been posted back in March when I should've attended Inside No.9 - Stage / Fright at the Wyndham Theatre, in what was my first ever trip to London.

As we approach the end of the year, this series of first-time listens nearly draws to a close. So let's waste no time, and see what I've been listening to this month. The Beautiful South - Painting It Red (2000) Okay, not strictly a first-ever listen, though I'm only breaking my self-imposed rules, here. I bought Painting It Red on cassette back when it was first released, having enjoyed previous 'South albums. For some reason, I didn't particularly enjoy it and I never gave

I watched all six closely during the show and I did get a real sense that they were enjoying donning the wigs and costumes and playing these characters again. There was no feeling of them going through the motions...

I know it's a hugely popular and critically-acclaimed album, but apart from the songs below it wasn't my cup of tea. However, like I've mentioned before and, as you probably know yourself, it can take a few listens of an album to really 'get' it...

I first discovered the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain when I was scrolling through YouTube a couple of weeks ago. The band's live...